On Windows 10, you can share files on your computer with other users over the network, and despite this might seem complicated, it’s actually a simple task when using the tools the operating system provides.

Depending on your network environment and what you’re trying to accomplish there are at least four ways to set up file sharing on Windows 10. You can use Public folder, which is a special setup that allows to share files over the local network without configuring permissions.

Or you can share content using the File Sharing feature on Windows 10. And if you’re looking to share files with other people across the internet, you can use file sharing with OneDrive.

In previous versions, you’re also able to use Homegroup, which unlike Public folder, this option automatically shares your Windows 10 libraries folders (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents), Printers, and other devices connected to your device, but it’s no longer a feature on Windows 10.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to share files over the network using File Sharing, and OneDrive on Windows 10. (Although Homegroup is no longer available in the latest version of Windows 10, but the steps to use the feature will continue, as it’s still a feature in older releases.)

How to share files using File Explorer

Using the built-in File Sharing feature on Windows 10 is the best method you can use to share files in a local network, as it’s more flexible. You can use more restrictive permissions, and you can share files with virtually any device, including Mac, Android, and Linux devices.

There are two ways to share files using File Explorer: you can use the basic settings, which allows you to quickly share files on the network with minimal configuration, or you can use the advanced settings to set custom permissions and set other advanced options.

Sharing files using basic settings

To share files on your local network using the express settings, use these steps:

Open File Explorer on Windows 10.

Navigate to the folder you want to share.

Right-click the item, and select the Properties option.

Folder Properties option

Click on the Sharing tab.

Click the Share button.

Folder Sharing tab

Use the drop-down menu to select the user or group to share file or folder. (For the purpose of this guide, select the Everyone group.)

Click the Add button.

Choose people to share with

Under the “Permission Level” section, select the type of sharing permissions you want the folder to have. For example, you can select Read (default) if you only want users to be able to view and open files. If you select Read/Write, users can view, open, modify, and delete the content on the folder you’re sharing.

Click the Share button.

Share permission level

Note the network path for the folder that other users will need to access the content over the network and click the Done button.

Click the Close button.

Shared folder path

Sharing files using advanced settings

To share files on your local network using the advanced sharing settings, use these steps:

Open File Explorer.

Navigate to the folder you want to share.

Right-click the item, and select the Properties option.

Folder Properties option

Click on the Sharing tab.

Click the Advanced Sharing button.

Folder Sharing tab, Advanced Sharing

Check the Share this folder option.

Windows 10, by default, allows other users read-only access to the content you’re sharing, which means that they can only view files, but they cannot do anything else. If you want users to be able to edit the files, delete, and create new documents in the location, you’ll need to click the Permissions button.

Advanced Sharing options

On the Permissions window, you’ll notice the Everyone group is the default option highlighted. In the section below, you can customize the permissions for a specific user or group. If you want users to be able to open, edit, delete, and create files, then make sure to check the Read and Change permissions under Allow.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Share Permissions options

Click the OK button again.

Sharing files with a specific user

If you only want to share files with only one specific user, you can follow the same steps, but on step 8, use these instructions:

Select the Everyone group and click the Remove button.

Click the Add button.

Add or remove users and groups

Type the name of the user you want to share the files with.

Click the Check Name button.

Click the OK button.

Select users and groups to share with

Select the user account, and you’ll notice that the “Read” permission is checked by default. If you want the user to be able to edit, delete, and create new files, make sure to also check the Change permission option.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Share permissions for specific user

Once you complete the steps, the shared content should be available when browsing the remote computer on File Explorer > Network.

How to share files over the network without needing a password

On Windows 10, any file you share is by default secured with a username and password. This means only people who have an account and password on the computer doing the sharing can access shared files.

If you’re setting up file sharing on a local network for your family members, or people you know, it’s possible to disable the requirement to sign-in with Windows credentials to allow users to access files on the sharing computer without the need of a password.

To disable password protections for file sharing on Windows 10, use these steps:

After you complete the steps, users should be able to access the shared folder without the need of a password.

How to share files using Homegroup (deprecated)

Microsoft created Homegroup to be an easy to use method for non-technical users to securely share files between computers running Windows 7 and later versions of the operating system connected to the same local network.

Typically, home users are the ones who will use Homegroup, as it offers a very easy and convenient way to share files, but this method has limited options. For example, you can share your libraries (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents), folders, Printers and other devices connected to your PC. However, you cannot share files with versions of Windows older than Windows 7, or other devices running a different operating system, such as Android and iOS.

Important:Starting with version 1803 and later, Windows 10 no longer include support for Homegroup, but you can still use the feature in older versions of the operating system.

Creating a Homegroup

To create a Homegroup on your local network, use these steps:

Open Control Panel.

Click on Network and Internet.

Click on Homegroup.

Click the Create a homegroup button.

Create Homegroup on Windows 10

Click the Next button.

Use the drop-down menu to select which folders and resources (Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents, Printer & Devices) you want to share. If you don’t want to share an item, make sure to select the Not Shared option.

Click the Next button.

Share libraries with Homegroup

Make sure to note the Homegroup password as you’ll need it to join other computers, and click Finish to complete the task.

Homegroup password

Once you complete the task, the Homegroup settings page will be updated displaying the libraries you’re currently sharing and additional options, including the ability to leave the Homegroup and change the resources you’re sharing.

Joining a Homegroup

Use these steps to join another computer to the Homegroup to access the files you’re sharing on your device:

Open Control Panel.

Click on Network and Internet.

Click on the Choose homegroup and sharing options link.

Control Panel Network and Internet

Click the Join now button.

Join a PC to a Homegroup

Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the setup.

If you don’t see the Join now button, click the Start the Homegroup troubleshooter option, which will force a rescan of the network and make the option available.

Sharing files on a Homegroup

Use these steps to start sharing files using Homegroup:

Once you have a Homegroup created, your PC is already sharing those files and folders within the libraries you shared during the setup process. However, if you want to share files on a different location with users connected to the Homegroup, then do the following:

Open File Explorer.

Navigate to the content you want to share.

Right-click the folder you want to share and select the Give access to option.

In the submenu, you’ll see a number of sharing options, including Homegroup (view) and Homegroup (view and edit).

If you only want users to have read permissions to your files, then select the Homegroup (view) option.

If you want users to have read and write permissions, which also allows them to delete and create files and folder, then select the Homegroup (view and edit) option.

Share additional folders on a Homegroup

In the case, you want to stop sharing a folder you previously shared, right-click the folder, select the Give access to option, and this time click the Remove access option.

Once you complete the steps, the shared content should be available when browsing the remote computer on File Explorer > Homegroup.

How to share files using OneDrive

You can also share files with other people across your network or around the world using OneDrive.

To share files using OneDrive on Windows 10, use these steps:

Open your OneDrive folder on Windows 10.

Navigate to the folder you want to share.

Right-click the folder and select the Share option.

OneDrive share option in File Explorer

Specify the email for the person you want to share the content. (Or the available options to copy the link or share files using other apps.)

OneDrive share options on Windows 10

Click the Send button.

Any user who receives your message will be able to click the link and view the content of the folder on any web browser.

Sharing OneDrive files from the web

If you want users to be able to view and edit the content inside of a OneDrive folder, you’ll need to share the folder using OneDrive on the web.

Open OneDrive online.

Navigate to the file or folder you want to share.

Right-click the item and select the Share option.

OneDrive online share option

Specify the email for the person you want to share the content. (Or the available options to copy the link.)

OneDrive online share settings

Click the Send button.

Once you complete the steps, anyone with the link will be able to view and edit the file or the content inside of the folder.

If you only want to share files with specific users privately, you want to select the option to share via email.

Files you share will only be available to users as long as your computer is turned on, with the exception of the OneDrive sharing method. However, using OneDrive, users must have an internet connection to access the shared content.

Update March 16, 2020: This guide has been received to ensure the instructions are still accurate.

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